Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 27, Ebenezer Gilbert, Navy (Conn)

SERVICE
NUMBER
Navy (Conn.)
Gilbert, Ebenezer
S. 27
CONTENTS

Reported to Pen. Agent, see letter
32/12
Connecticut 32/11
Ebenezer Gilbert, a of Middlesex Co, in the State of Connecticut who was a Surgeon in the _____ com. by Captain _____ of the _____ com by _____ in the Custer Reven line for 1 year
Payable to Joseph M. Gilbert, one child of S r and
scribed on the Roll of Connecticut rate of 141 Dollars 96 Cents per commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. & in 7 th January 1853, when he died
Certificate of Pension issued the 17 th day of Feb - 1844 and sent to Hon. Jo Stewart, House of Representatives
Arrears to the 4th of Semi-ann. allowance ending
{ Revolutionary Act June 7, 18
Recorded by D Brown Book E. 2. Vol. 3, Page 70

Middletown 31 st Jany 1843.
To Hon: J. L. Edwards, Comm: Rev. Pensions,
Sir:
The application for a pension, referred to in the inclosed statement by Mr Gilbert, came before me as Judge of Probate for the District of Middletown, while my friend the Hon: Mr Ingham was member of Congress. Having for many years been personally well acquainted with Dr Ebenezer Gilbert and his family, previous to his decease, and known somewhat of his private history, it gave me pleasure to examine the application, and give the same, together with the other facts proved before me to my entire satisfaction, an attentive hearing. Since then I have had frequent conversations with Mr Joseph M. Gilbert, with reference to the subsequent inquiries contained in your correspondence with Mr Ingham. Dr Gilbert, although a very talented and worthy man, and a most excellent physician

and surgeon, in consequence of a variety of losses and misfortunes, died poor, leaving Joseph M. Gilbert and Sarah Ann Gilbert, a son and daughter, his only surviving children. Mr Gilbert since his father's death, has been equally unfortunate. He has a large family and is blessed with but feeble health. His sister died about three years since, unmarried and without heirs, so that he is now the only survivor of his father's family.
He has made every effort in his power, so far as his limited means would permit, to procure information with respect to David H. Conyngham, and the result may be seen in the inclosed statement.
I barely wish to add, that while I was Judge of Probate, according to my best recollection, more than forty applications for a pension, passed through my office, and were transmitted to Washington, not more than three or four of which were finally rejected; and sure I am, that no case has fallen under my observation, whose merits were clearer, or where the applicant was more deserving.
I have no interest whatever in the matter, only, that I feel an interest in common with my neighbors, in seeing justice done

to the claims of a valuable and patriotic fellow citizen.
I am, Sir,
with sentiments, of esteem,
Your Obed t Serv t .
Stillman K. Rightman.

War Department,
Pension Office,
July 21: 1837.
Sir,
I have the honor to enclose herewith the papers in the case of Ebenezer Gilbert, deceased, for the purpose of having the claim asserted before a court of record by his widow, if he left one; or if no widow, by his heirs. The credibility of each witness should be certified by the Judge or Justice who administered the oath, and his official character and signature duly attested by the Clerk under his seal of office.
If the Lieut. of the Ravena, who was alive in October 1828, be still living, his deposition should embrace a detailed account of the fitting out of that vessel; Commissioning the officers; instructions, and from whom received; the conditions as to prize money; and the final disposition of her after her arrival at Philadelphia. She might also add any facts respecting his own and Capt. Cunnigham's employment by the Government after their cruise in the Ravena, which would show the relations in which they stood to the Government in consequence of their service on board of her.
I have the honor to be,
Hon. Samuel Ingham
Very respectfully,
House of Representatives
{ } }
J. L. Edwards

Mr. J. M. Gilbert
Middletown, Conn.
Philade. Feb 9. 1837
A.
Dear Sir
In reply to your favor of 7 th I have to state, that Mr. Matthew Lavelle, respecting whom you inquired, went ab t 3 years ago to the West, Cincinnati, I believe, where he since died.
Respectfully, Yours & Sir Richard A. Saff. Pr Gust. Leumann

1. State of Connecticut
Middlesex County ss. Middletown 18 th Feby 1837.
Then and there personally appeared Joseph M. Gilbert and Sarah Ann Gilbert both of said Middletown, before the Court of Probate now sitting in said Middletown, within and for the District of Middletown, being a Court of Record and having a clerk and seal, who being duly sworn before said Court, do make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed 7 th June 1832. That they the said Joseph and Sarah are the lawful and only surviving children and the only heirs of their father Dr Ebenezer Gilbert late of said Middletown dec d ; that their mother Elizabeth B. Gilbert wife of the said Ebenezer Gilbert died in said Middletown on the twentieth  ninth day of May 1830; that their father the said Dr Ebenezer Gilbert afterwards died in said Middletown on the seventeenth day of January 1833; that they the said Joseph and Sarah then resided and have ever since resided and do now reside in said Middletown: that they lived for many years previous to his death, in their father's family, and often and repeatedly heard him repeat the particulars of his service in the continental armed service in the capacity of Physician and Surgeon; that they have no doubt that he served as he states in his Declaration to which this their declaration is herewith annexed. They further depose and say that their father was in good circumstances down to the year 1811 and took no

2, measures to obtain or preserve any proof of his said service; that afterwards, having in consequence of losses and a series of misfortunes, become poor and the receipt of a pension for his services having therefore been become an object worthy of his serious attention, he made some efforts to procure it and found it extremely difficult to procure proof of his service. By accident he learned that Matthew Lawler who was first Lieutenant on board the cutter, resided in Philadelphia, and he sent and procured his deposition in Oct. 1828 which is attached to the said Gilbert's Declaration, also the Deposition of David H. Coneygham in like manner - as also his certificate: both of which papers are likewise attached to said Declaration. The said Joseph also procured the extracts which are added to the declaration, showing beyond all doubt that the Revenge was a continental armed vessel and in the service of the United States. These extracts however have never been presented for the inspection of the pension department until a few days since. They were taken subsequent to the 1 st July 1819 and after they had been returned to Middletown aforesaid. The extracts were completed from the originals in the year 1832, in the month of December.
In answer to the inquiry or statement made by the department in their letter of instruction of the 25 th ult. requesting to have the deposition of Matthew Lawler taken if he be still living - the said Joseph and Sarah further depose and say, that on the 7 th February inst they forwarded

3. a letter (of which the following is a copy) to Richard Alsop Esq of Philadelphia.
"Middletown Feby 7 th 1837.
Richard Alsop Esq, Dr Sir: Will you forgive me the liberty which I take in calling upon you for information respecting Mr M Lawler, formerly, as I am informed an Alderman of your city. It is my wish, if he be yet alive and in his right mind, to obtain his deposition on a subject of some importance to me. Your immediate answer to my inquiry will oblige
Your ob st Servt
Joseph M. Gilbert."
and that on Saturday evening the 11 th Feby with they rec d his answer which is as follows—
"M. J. M. Gilbert Middletown, Conn.
Phila da Feby 9. 1837.
Dear Sir: In reply to your favor of 7 th I have to state, that Mr Matthew Lawler, respecting whom you inquired, went ab t 3 years ago to the West, Cincinnati, I believe, where he since, died.
Respectfully,
Your ob st Servt
Richard Alsop
for Gust s Bleemann, "
which letter is hereto attached and marked A. — That the said Joseph and Sarah are therefore entirely cut off, by reason of the death of the said Matthew Lawler of which fact they have no doubt, from knowing any thing in addition to what already appears on the face of the Declaration

h. of their father, with the accompanying affidavits, which they very much regret; for if Matthew Sawyer were living, he would unquestionably with great cheerfulness, depose to such facts as would at once remove all doubt in the minds of those whose duty it is to decide upon the merits of this application. The said Joseph and Sarah the only surviving heirs of their father the said Ebenezer Gilbert decd. Knowing as they do that their father did serve as he states in his declaration, and that he never recd. in his life time any compensation for those services, yet having been equally as meritorious, as thousands of others whose applications have found favor with the department, take the liberty of making this appeal to the same tribunal in the hope and expectation, that the merits of the services of the decd. will be duly canvassed and that the said Joseph and Sarah will be permitted to receive the small sum of money to which they conceive themselves entitled by the laws in relation to pensions.
sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid) J. Gilbert Sarah A. Gilbert
a. Stillman K. Wightman Judge of Probate for the District of Middlesex.

State of Connecticut Middlesex County ss. Middletown Probate District.
On this 13 th day of Feb'y 1837, before the Court of Probate for the District of Middletown, in said State, being a court of Record and having a clerk and seal, personally appeared Joseph M. Gilbert and Sarah Ann Gilbert, both of Middletown in said District, and produced proof to the satisfaction of said Court that they are both of full age and the children and the only children and heirs at law of Dr Ebenzer Gilbert late of said Middletown now dec'd; that he died in said Middletown on the seventh  seventeenth day of May  January 1833, leaving no widow his wife having deceased on the twentieth day of May A.D. 1830; that the said Dr Ebenzer Gilbert before his death did make application to this Court and file his declaration with the accompanying affidavit, certificates, papers and extracts, under oath, in order to obtain a pension.
Whereupon it is considered and found by the Court here, that said Joseph M. Gilbert and Sarah Ann Gilbert, both of said Middletown, are of full age and are the children and only children and heirs at law of said Ebenzer Gilbert dec'd, that the wife of the said Ebenzer departed this life at said Middletown the twentieth day of May 1830; that the said Ebenzer Gilbert did not intermarry thereafter but died in said Middletown on the seventh  seventeenth day of January 1833, leaving no widow; And this Court further certifies that this Court the said Gilbert before his death did cause his declaration to be made and the papers thereto annexed to be prepared and all

to be duly presented before said Court on the 10 th day of Decr. A D 1832 in said District of Middle- -town, and the same were duly proved and approved in manner and form as set forth at large in said Declaration and papers. And this Court further doth certify that the said Ebenezer Gilbert was then confined on a bed of sickness which proved to be his death bed; that this Court attended at his dwelling house when the Declaration was subscribed and the papers prepared for transmission to the pension depart- -ment; that the said Gilbert was in the full and clear possession of his faculties, the disease with which he was affected not at all impairing the native strength of his mind and intellect; the Court further certifies that this Court had for several years prior to the death of said Gilbert been personally well acquainted with him and his family; that the said Gilbert was a man of estimable, unimpeachable character a man of respectability and entirely above suspicion that his statement respecting his service was in every particular false or untrue; that said Court from the personal knowledge it has of the said Gilbert's character and veracity has never had any doubt that he served as he stated in his declaration, and that his said children are intitled to the pension to which he was entitled at the time of his death.
In testimony whereof the said Court of Probate

has caused their seal to be affixed hereto, and the same to be signed by their clerk on the day and year before written.
Stillman K. Wightman, B. Judge of Probate for the District of Middletown.
I John P. Miller Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Middletown aforesaid do hereby Certify that Stillman K. Wight- man is Judge of Probate for the District aforesaid & that his name subscribed to the preceding Certificates mark A. B. are his proper Hand writing & signatures.
In witness whereof I have hereto set my Hand & affixed the seal of said Court this 14. day of Feb. 1837.
J. P. Miller Clerk

State of Connecticut County of Middlesex ss. Middletown
On this 10 th day of December A D 1832, personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Probate for the District of Middletown aforesaid Ebenezer Gilbert, a resident of said Middletown, aged six seven years, who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on his oath, make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7 th 1832.
I Ebenezer Gilbert of the town of Middletown County of Middlesex State of Connecticut do declare that I am now 77 years of age & in my 78 th year, infirm & broken down with the Rheumatism & in consequence of numerous losses I am at this advanced age left poor & my infirmities prevent my attending to my professional business, which for the last fifteen years has been my sole support.
I entered the service of my country at the Island of Martinique in the early part of 1778 at the solicitation of Mr. Benjamin the American Agent in St. Pierres Martinique & Gustavus Cunnigham, of the Continental armed Cutter Vernon in the capacity of Surgeon & Physician of said Cutter (as far

as my memory serves me in the month of Jan y - on board of which Cutter I served until honorably discharged on the 17 th day of Jan y . 1879 as will appear by my certificate of service herunto annexed.
The general history of Capt Cuming- ham while I was Physician &c on board of the Revenge is according to my best recollection as follows. Soon after entering the service, we Sailed on a cruise, our first station was off the Banks of New Foundland, for the pur- pose of intercepting transient vessels bound to and from England to New York. We fell in with & took a large ship loaded with fish from St Johns for London which we ordered to some port in Spain. We afterwards understood she arrived safely. The weather being tempestuous & extremely cold, it was thought advisable to change our station, in consequence of which we stood over for the Western Islands, & went into port at the Island of Teneriffe - refreshed our crew &c & prepared for further operations. We there understood that instead of making friends, we were making enemies, as our presence

very much interested with the neutral trade of the Islands. Our interest being to make friends, we left the Station & stood North for the Coast of Ireland . While on that coast we had frequent communication with the shore. One evening after our arrival, a small Sk. made his appearance from the shore & after an exchange of signals came alongside. The Capt. was invited on board & afterwards into the Cabin. After a long conference he returned to his craft, sent us a few hampers of potatoes some cheese Butter etc. The next evening the same vessel appeared again & was received in like manner, but with the Capt. came three other persons & after an other private conference returned to the shore leaving one of their number with us, who proved to be a pilot. We soon made sail & stood off & on until the following evening when we ran into a shallow Bay here to & made a signal being answered from the shore we dropped a light Kedge. We soon perceived a large boat full of men approaching us. After hailing us they were invited on board. They proved to be first rate Seamen; with them

them came the other two men who had previously been on board; they proved to be Irish land officers, disgusted with the British service & desirous of getting to America. One of them was made lieut of marines, the other master at arms. After supplying us with a quantity of provisions the Boat returned to the shore leaving us in accession of strength, of from 18 to 20 men. We then bid adieu to the coast of Ireland, & stood over to America.
Our next cruising ground was in the track between Bermuda & New York; we there fell in & took a number of vessels which we ordered to Martinique. One of them was a Brig from New York, with a number of American prisoners, among them two masters of vessels. They gave us information with regard to the British fleet bound to the West Indies, which enabled us to dog them & capture two fine ships, which were also ordered to Martinique, where they arrived safely. We however soon found our situation becoming so dangerous that we ran for the windward Islands, took our station off

off Barbadoes where we continued to cruise for some time. One morning at dawn, it being perfectly calm, we discovered two sail, distant from each other about six miles. We made them out to be men of war a Brig & Schooner . Capt. Cunnings determined to attack the nearest one which was the Brig . The sweeps were ordered out & we rowed within gun shot, when a breeze springing up we laid her aboard & carried her. We then kept her flag flying as a decoy to the Schooner , which soon coming down with the breeze, hailed the Brig & asked what had become of the rebel dogs, if they had hid in the hole? a broadside from us was the only answer. She immediately rounded to & surrendered. We conveyed these prizes as far as St Kitts , where we landed a part of our prisoners on parole. While off St Kitts , we took a Bermudian Schooner of small value & burnt her off the port of Baptistene to induce two armed vessels that lay in port to come out & meet us, but to no purpose. Cruising between St Eustatia & St Kitts , Mr. Jennings American Agent at St Eustatia sent us an

an invitation to come into port for refreshment. We then ordered our two prizes to Martinique & went into St. Eustatia where we spent a number of days.
It being reported to us that Admiral Boscawen's fleet was in the neighbourhood, we stood out for the purpose, if possible of cutting off some stragglers. We came in sight of the fleet which was bound to St. Lucia, & in the night ran in among them & succeeded in carrying one of the transports, but signals being made that a strange sail was in the fleet, we were obliged to abandon our prize to save ourselves. We immediately stood for Martinique & went into Port Royal & gave information to Count d'Estang respecting the British fleet orders were soon issued to the French fleet to leave the port. Capt. Cumingham was invited on board of the admiral & treated with marked attention, invited to join the expedition & the private signals furnished him. Having accepted of the invitation we stood over for S. Lucia , But the wind & current baffled all attempts to intercept the British fleet, which succeeded

in entering the port & getting moored under protection of the fort, before Count D'Estang arrived off the harbour. It was then thought expedient by Count D'Estang to land & the troops being very much annoyed by a battery on shore & we being of an easy draught of water we called upon to silence it, which we did in less than an hour, dis- =mounting every gun. Having no further service for us to perform, we received the thanks of the Admiral & stood back for Martinique & went into port at St. Pierres, after an absence of about twelve months. On our arrival it was found necessary to overhaul the cutter, for what, with stress of weather, straining in chase & injury in action she was almost a wreck. Mr Bingham said it would be impossible to repair her there, that she must go to America. It was there- =fore agreed between Mr Bingham & Capt Birmingham, to discharge most of her crew, put her guns under deck & run her Philadelphia. On the 17 th day of January 1779 in Mr Bingham's Office in St. Pierres Martinique, I recd my discharge from Capt Birmingham, in his own hand writing.
The

The cutter sailed for Philadelphia, where she arrived safely.
I have no further proof of my said service than my discharge & the deposition of Matthew Lawler annexed hereto, nor do I know of any other person in existence who has any knowledge of the fact, or whose testimony I can procure.
The said cutter was purchased by Mr. Woodge, agent for Messrs. Franklin, Deane & Lee, the American Commissioners then at Paris and was equipped in the port of Dunkirk, armed with fourteen six pounders and twenty two swivels & having a crew of one hundred & six men, & received her authority to cruise as an American vessel from the said Commissioners.
It is not in my power to obtain a copy of the Commission to the Revenge, not knowing where it is to be found, but for proof that the Revenge was commissioned as a Continental armed vessel, I refer to the annexed deposition of David H. Cunningham and the annexed Extracts from "Putnam's & Waldo's Biographical Sketches" and also the annexed extracts from the "Diplomatic Correspondence of

of the American Revolution," as the only proof it is in my power to obtain.
We hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
To the 1 st interrogatory, the said applicant makes answer
That he was born in said Middletown on the 7 th day of July AD 1755.
To the second that the time of his birth is recorded in the records of said town of Middletown.
To the third that he was living and practising his profession at St Pierres in the Island of Martinique, at the time of his entering the service; that after his discharge he remained at St Pierres until the year 1776 when he returned to said Middletown where he ever since & still does reside.
To the fourth that he was a Volunteer.
To the fifth  sixth he refers to his declaration at large.

To the sixth, that he received a regular discharge from Capt Cunningham which is hereunto annexed.
To the seventh, he names Hon: Stephen T. Hosmer, Nehemiah Hubbard Esq Joshua Stow Esq. & Doct. Ebenezer Tracy.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Benner Gilson
Stillman Wightman
Judge of Probate for the District of Middlesex.
Conner Gilson
Conner
Act 7 June 1832
33767
Hon. J. Lingham
Notary

Navy
INVALID.
File No. 27
Ebenezer Dyer
Surg. Cutter Rev.
Act: June 7 1832
Index:—Vol. R , Page 141
[Arrangement of 1870.]

To their Excellencies the Generals - Commanders in Chief, and over their respective Islands in the West Indies, and also their very Honorable Brigade Councils of the same.
Gentlemen -
W m Ebenezer Gilbert a Doctor of Physick and practitioner in the City of Middletown County of Middlesex State of Connecticut, a Gentleman of respectable family, and fair character professional Publick and Domestic, being Called to leave his family and pursue his interest in the West Indies, and by reason of Morals and Manners being dear to our Country - He beg leave to recommend him Requesting that you will be pleased to authorize and protect him in his professional business while under your Jurisdiction and accord him those Offices which his Conduct and Character demand.
In Testimony whereof I have caused the Seal of said State to be hereunto affixed -
Given under my hands at the City of New Haven State of Connecticut this Twenty Sixth day of October in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and One, and of the year of independence of the United States of America.
By his Excellency's Command. Samuel Wyllys Secretary
By [Signature] of the State of Connecticut

To his Excellency the Genl. Govr. and its dependencies, and to the
Commanding in Chief in and over the Island of Martinique Honorable the Sovereign Council of said Island.
Continueth
W m O'Brien Esq r a person of Physick, and some years in this City, a Gentleman of respectable family, and fair life, and manners, publick & domestic, I leave his family, and pursue his Interest in the City of Martinique, and by reason of his Morals & Manners, I dear to our Country. We beg you to recommend him, requesting that you will be pleased to authorize and Protect him in his profession, while under your Jurisdiction & allow him those Offic- which his Conduct and Character merite.
W m O'Brien Esq r a person of Physick, and some years in this City, a Gentleman of respectable family, and fair life, and manners, publick & domestic, I leave his family, and pursue his Interest in the City of Martinique, and by reason of his Morals & Manners, I dear to our Country. We beg you to recommend him, requesting that you will be pleased to authorize and Protect him in his profession, while under your Jurisdiction & allow him those Offic- which his Conduct and Character merite.
the Seal of the County Court of Middlesex this 18 th day of November A. D. 1747
Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand & caused to be affixed the Seal of the County at the City of New Haven in the State of Connecticut
Countersigned by Abner Wiman
John Dickinson Judge

State of Connecticut ss. Widdletown,
To all whom these presents may come Greeting.
This Certifys that Doct r Ebenezer Gilbert who is the Bearer of this present certificate is a Native of this Town & is an Inhabitant (with his Family here) & he is Son of Eben r Gilbert & Hannah Miller his lawfull Wife, both Inhabitants of this Town of whom the said Ebenezer was born on the seventh Day of July in the Year of our Lord Seventeen Hundred & fifty five & Received in my Office _____
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my Hand Seal the Tenth day of February Seventeen Hundred & Ninety Seven of the Independence of the United States of America the TwentyFirst
Bezalel Sisk Town Clerk
Widdletown Feb y 10 th A D 1797
This may Certify that Bezalel Sisk is Town Clerk of the Town of Widdletown duly appointed _____
John Dickinson Judge County Middlesex

Extract of the Registry of the Town in the State within mentioned, Certify that Mr. Ebenezer Gilbert Son to Lieut. Nathaniel Gilbert was Married to Miss Hannah Miller Daughter to Mr. Benjamin Miller both Inha- bitants of this Town on the 26 th day of September in the Year of our Lord 1754.
In testimony whereof I set my hand & Seal the Tenth day of February. 1797. In the Inde- pendance of the United States of America the Twenty First.
Deziah Lusk Town Clerk

Feb 10 1844
Con. Ebenezer Gilbert Surg on as was Cutter Revenge — $141:96 per ann
Payable to Joseph M. Gilbert only child of Ebenezer G. dec d . up to 17 January 1833 the day of his death.
from his mother Mary
Mr. ...
Yrs John Stewart H.R.

N. Ty w - B: Gilbert
Noribly J. L. Schuman
West
Carns
John Schuman
20 u

Washington Feb. 17. 1837-
Sir I am despatched the papers in the case of Doct r Ebenezer Gilbert for a pension are again returned to your office. I beg you to cause the case to be examined as soon as possible.
I transmitted some three or four weeks ago, I think, the papers in the case of Doct r John C. McBriney of Conn t and have not, as yet heard any thing from them. Will you allow me to ask your immediate attention to them. I am very desirous of having the case disposed of before Congress adjourns.
With great respect I have the Honor to be Your Ob t Serv t
Samuel Hughes
Non. like J. P. Delvenick. Comm r V e
See over.

Mr. Nathaniel Tyler of Newbern Conn t says that he served in the War of the Revolution enough to entitle him to a full pension under the act of 1832. That he is allowed a pension for the time only that he served as a Soldier , rejecting the time that he was engaged in the Commissary Dep t - He says his pension is but 30. or 40 $ when it should be $80. of this he complains. He says further that others for similar service, in the Commissary Dep t are now receiving pensions.
Will you cause the case to be re-examined and advise me of the result.
S. Washburn

Oct 3
Hon'ble
J. L. Calvocoressi
Mr. S. Ingham MR
Dr. G. Gilbert Ch 18 Feb
Comm ee of Pensions

Washington Sept r 30. Th. 1837.
Dr. Sir
In the case of the claim of Heirs of Col. Dr. Gilbert, you wrote me some time since, in which something was said about the testimony of one Cassius  Corinthian  Corinthian , who resided & believed in Philadelphia. It is prob- ably the last, if not the only letter you addressed me on the subject. I have lost the letter I would thank you to send me a copy of it.
Yours Ob t Serv t
Samuel D. Hemen
Hon'ble J. L. Edwards.

Ebenezer Gilberts Certificate of Services Physician In the war.
U. S. Cutter Revenge Capt. Conyngham
Gilbert, Ebenezer Navy 527 Conn. C.

To all to whom these Presents may come, Greeting
I Gustavus Conyngham, Commander of the Continental armed Cutter Revenge , do hereby certify, that Mr. Ebenezer Gilbert, hath served on board the said Cutter in the Capacity of Physician, & that, during the Time he was in the Service, he conducted himself with Sobriety, & a becoming Attention to the Duties of his Station.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my Hand, this twenty seventh Day of January, one thousand seven hundred & seventy nine.
S t Pierre, Martinique. }
[Large decorative flourish]
G. Conyngham

I David H. Conyngham of the City of Philadelphia, do hereby certify, that I believe the signature of G. Conyngham, subscribed to a certificate in relation to the service of Mr Ebenezer Gilbert on board the armed Cutter Revenge, and dated at St Pierre, Martinique, on the 27 th day of January, A. D. 1779, is the true and proper hand-writing of the said G. Conyngham.
Philadelphia 31 st of October, 1828.
David H. Conyngham

Feb 16 43
James L. Eminent Esquire Counsel of Record Washington D.C.
Hon. Henry Smith Senate N.Y.

Senate chamber, Feb'y 14. th 1843.
Sir, I enclose you a letter from Mr. Gabbart, which will explain to you, what I desire to know - that is - whether he is entitled to a pension.
It seems that the character of the vessel, whether it was National, is the material question, now in doubt. I believe the applicant to be a very worthy man; and I hope you will be able to grant him the pension ordered. Will you have the goodness to examine the case, and return me an answer, together with the enclosed letter.
Very Respectfully, your Hon. ble Servant. J. L. Edward, Esq. P. Smith. Leavitt

House of Rep
February 9. 1844
Dear Sir
I transmit to you herewith, the extracts to which I alluded in our conversation this morning. It appears to me that our Commissioners then at Paris had no authority to issue commissions to Private Ships, or Privates, and that the commission to Capt. Cunningham must preclude the idea that the Revenge was of that character.
I am Sir with Great Respect Your Obedient Servant John Stewart
How I. L. Edwards Commissioner

I Mathew Lawler, now resident in the City of Philadelphia, depose and say, that I was first lieutenant on board of the Armed Cutter Revenge, of fourteen guns, Gustavus Conyngham Commander , in the years 1778 and 1779, and that Doctor Ebenezer Gilbert, who the deponent is informed now resides at Middletown, in the State of Conn. in medical, served on board the said Cutter, in the capacity of Physician and Surgeon, and that during the time he was in the service aforesaid, he conducted himself with sobriety, and a becoming attention to the duties of his station. Dated at Philadelphia, this day of October, A. D. 1828. Mat. Lawler
Subscribed to by the said Deponent, and by him sworn to, in due form of law, this twenty eighth day of October, A. D. 1828,
Before me
John Dennis
AS.

I David H. Conyngham, of the City of Philadelphia, depose and say, that I was in Paris, with Captain G. Conyngham, and united with Mr. William Dodge, in obtaining from Dr. Benjamin Franklin and Silas Deane, the Commission under which Captain Conyngham fitted out the Armed Cutter Revenge, At the same time, I gave my consent that Captain Conyngham should fit out the Cutter with the crew of the Brig Charming Peggy, of which vessel I was agent and part owner; and I also supplied money to fit out the Cutter, supposing that I had a right or interest in her and her prizes; and as I went out from France to the island of Martinique, Captain Conyngham sent several of the many prizes made by him to my address there, which prizes I sold, and settled with him and his Crew for their shares: but Mr. Conyngham, his Continental Agent in Martinique, made use of the authority of the French Government, and took the Cutter out of my hands, and I was obliged to pay him what funds remained in my possession. And I was informed by Captain Conyngham that money, to the amount of about thirty five thousand dollars, was received by Arthur Lee, one of the Ministers of the United States, from the sale of the prizes of the said Cutter. I have no copy of the Commission and cannot state from any papers in my possession, the form in which the said Commission was drawn.
Subscribed and Sworn to, by said Deponent, in due form of law, this twenty ninth day of October A.D. 1828
Before me A. Shoemaker, one of the Aldermen of the City of Philadelphia.
David H. Conyngham

Extracts from S. Putnam Waldo's Biographical Sketches of distinguished American heroes, in the war of the Revolution between the America Republic & the Kingdom of Great Britain.
Page 6. 7. While in imagination we can yet hear the reverberation of the clangor of Bunker Hill, Trenton, Harlem, Monmouth, Saratoga, Camden & Yorktown, the distant roaring of our little floating bulwarks "far away o'er the billows" in the very throat of death upon the coast of Britain & her Colonies, which dared resist her, dies away in the roaring of the surges that once echoed them amongst the dismayed subjects of George III.
I had intended to have gathered something like a Register of Naval Heroes of the Revolution. The following extract, of a letter from the Secretary of the Navy Department shows the impossibility of doing it.
The Records of the department do not enable me to furnish the information you request, respecting the Naval Officers, who distinguished themselves during the war for Independence. The correspondence of the Congressional Committee, on Marine affairs, during the Revolutionary War, does not contain complete lists, even of the Commanders, much less of the several Officers attached to the public vessels, during that important & interesting period of our history.
As the work, which you contemplate publishing, will it is believed, be one of public utility, it will afford me pleasure to furnish you any information connected with the subject that may be found in the Archives of the Department."
State of Connecticut County of Middlesex
So. Middletown, November 12 th 1830.
I Jonathan Barnes a Notary Public duly appointed and sworn residing in said Middletown, do hereby certify to all whom it may concern, that I have

this day compared the preceding extract from S. Putnam Waldo's Biographical Sketches with the original, and found it to be an exact transcript of the same.
Witness my signature and seal of office
Jonathan Barnes Notary Public,

State of Connecticut } County of Middlesex } ss. Middletown.
I Jonathan Barnes a Notary Public duly appointed and sworn, dwelling in said Middletown, do hereby certify to all whom it may concern, that I have compared the following extracts from the diplomatic correspondence of the American Revolution with their respective originals, and found them to be correct, with the exception of the sentences inclosed by brackets, and those express the substance of their respective originals.
Witness my signature and seal of office this 6 th day of November, A. D. 1830.
Jon a Barnes Notary Public.

Extracts from the diplomatic correspondence of the American Revolution
(Vol. 1 st Page 46.)
I have to urge your sending to me either a general power for the purpose, or a number of blank Commissions for vessels of war. It is a very practicable & safe plan to arm a ship here, as if for the coast of Africa or the West Indies, wait until some ship of value is sailing from England or Portugal, slip out at once & carry them on to America, when arrived the armed vessel increases your Navy & the prize supplies the Country.
Silas Deane
To the Committee of secret correspondence. Vol. 1 st Page 260. Since our last, a copy of which is enclosed, Mr. Woodge arrived here from Martinique, & has brought safely the papers he was charged with. He had a long passage & was near being starved. We are about to employ him in a service pointed out by you at Dunkirk or Flushing. He has delivered us three sets of the papers we wanted, but we shall want more & beg you will not fail to send them by several opportunities. B. Franklin,
Silas Deane. A. Lee
From the Committee of secret correspondence to B. Franklin, Silas Deane, Arthur Lee; Commissioners at Paris. (Vol. 1 st Page 232.)
Another resolve inclosed of Congress will show you that Congress approved of armed vessels being fitted out by you on Continental account, provided the Court of France dislike not the measure, & blank Commissions for this purpose will be sent you by the next opportunity. Private ships of war or privateers cannot be admitted where you are because the securities necessary in such cases to prevent irregular practices, cannot be given by the owners & commanders of such privateers.
B. Harrison, R. W. Lee, J. Witherspoon
Wm Hooper

To Robert Morris
Vol. 1 st Page 108,
Soon after Mr. Hodge's arrival we bought a Sloop at Dover, & sent her to Dunkirk, Mr. Hodge went after her & equipped her with great secrecy, designing a blow in the north sea. He sent Capt. Cunningham in her & ordered him to intercept the packet between England & Holland, & then to cruise northward towards the Baltic. Cunningham fell in with the Packet, in a day or two after leaving Dunkirk & took her. As she had a prodigious number of letters on board, he imagined it was proper he should return to Dunkirk, instead of continuing his course; in his return he also took a Brig of some value & brought both prizes into Port. This spread the alarm far & wide, & gave much real ground of complaint, as he had been entirely armed & equipped in Dunkirk, & had returned thither with his prizes. The Ministry, therefore, to appease England, ordered the prizes to be returned & Cunningham & his crew to be imprisoned, which gave the English a temporary triumph. But not discouraged thereby another Cutter was bought, & completely equipped in the port of Dunkirk; Cunningham & his crew were set at liberty & with some address & intrigue he got again to sea from the same port in a swift sailing Cutter mounting fourteen six pounders & twenty two swivels, with one hundred & six men. His first adventure greatly raised insurance on the northern trade. Even the packet boats from Dover to Calais were for some time insured. On his leaving the port of Dunkirk for the second time, he had ordered to proceed directly for America; but he and his crew full of resentment for the insults they had received from the enemy, whilst in the prison at Dunkirk and afterwards, attacked the first vessels they met with & plundered & burnt as they went on along. Our last accounts are that they had taken or destroyed about twenty sail & had appeared off the town of Lynn then threatening

to burn it unless ransomed. In a word Bunningham, by his first & second bold expedition is become the terror of all the eastern coast of England & Scotland, 'tis more dread than Thurot was in the last war - S. Deane -
To the President of Congress (Vol 1 st Page 145)
Mr Hodge went to Dunkirk by order of the Commissioners, they sent him in consequence of orders from the secret Committee. He purchased & fitted out two vessels, a fact though forgotten by Mr Lee, known to every one at the time. From what that brave & virtuous young American did & suffered on the occasion, it was the common topic of conversation everywhere, it raised insurance in England ten per Cent for a time. Mr Hodge, to appease the British Ambassador, was sent to the Bastile & Bunningham making his cruise  tour around England & Ireland, put into Spain without prize money (enough) equal to the repairs he wanted. Mr Hodge was released from his imprisonment, & one of the first things he did was, to give Mr Lee, the account of his disbursements in writing. I have only to add on the subject, that all the moneys recd by Mr Hodge, amounted to 92,729 15.3 livres, in the whole, & that Mr Hodge, rendered us other services, besides equipping these two vessels. S. Deane -
To Count de Vergennes. Vol 1 st Page 317.
We understand with regret & surprize that one of our countrymen, Mr Hodge, a merchant of Phila a is apprehended at Paris, with all his papers, & carried away by the Officers of Police. As Mr Hodge is a person of character, connected with the best houses in our Country, & employed here by a Committee of Congress, to purchase goods. We cannot conceive him capable of any wilful offence against the laws of this nation. Our personal regard for him, as well as the duty of our station, obliges us to interest ourselves in his behalf, & to request, as we do most earnestly, that he may be immediately restored to us. Franklin, Deane, Lee -

affairs.
To the Committee of foreign relations (Vol. 1 st Page 335) Mr. Hodge is discharged from his imprisonment on our solicitation & his papers restored to him. He was well  kind- ly treated while in the Bastile. The charge against him was deceiving the government in setting out Cunnin- ham from Dunkirk who was represented as going on some trading voyage, but as soon as he was  got out began to cruise on the British coast & took six sail. He has got safe into Ferrol. Franklin, Deane, Sec. To Mr. de Sartine. (Vol. 1 st Page 392.)
In the several cruises made by Captains Wikes, Johnston, Cunningham & others of our armed vessels on the coast of Great Britain, it is computed that between four & five hundred Prisoners have been made & set at liberty, either on their landing in France or at sea, because it was understood, that we could not keep them confined in France. B. Franklin,
Sec, J. Adams.
To the Committee of foreign affairs. (Vol. 2. Page 202) I am informed that a Swedish ship the Benica Sofia , Capt d P o Held loaded with Spanish property, bound from London to Teneriffe, has been taken by Capt d Cunningham in the Revenge , which being considered in Spain as a violence done to them has given great offence. I have assured them, that upon its being made to appear in the American  in America Court, admiralty Court, that the property is neutral, it will be restored with such damages as are just. See- To John Jay Minister from U States at Madrid.
(Vol. 2 nd Page 278.)
The part of the prize money due to the public for the prizes sent into the ports of Spain by Capt d Cun- ningham, was never remitted to us, nor has the account been settled to my knowledge. See-
John Jay President of Congress (Vol. 3 rd Page 114)
The blank Commissions remaining, of those sent to us here, are all signed by Mr Hancock, which occasions

some difficulty. If Congress approves of my continuing to issue commissions, I wish to have a fresh supply, with the other necessary instructions, rules & bonds &c, of which none are now left. There are returned in the last Cartel, a number of French Sailors, who had engaged with Capt Cunningham, were taken in coming home in one of his prizes, & have been near two years in English prisons. They demand their wages & share of prize money. I send their claim, as taken before the Officers of the Classe at Dunkirk. I know nothing of the alleged  which they allege, was made agreement with them, Mr Hodge, perhaps can settle the affair. I enclose also the claims of two gunners upon a prize made by the Boston, Capt Tucker, I am persuaded that Congress wish to see justice done to the meanest stranger that has served them; it is justice that establishes a Nation.
Franklin.
To the Committee of foreign Affairs. (Vol 3. Page 86 87.) I have lately employed an accountant the son of one Banker, to form complete Books of our accounts to be sent to Congress. They are not yet ready  ready , when they are I shall send them by the first opportunity. In the mean time I may just mention some particulars of our dis- bursements; ( Local stores sent from time to time ) and naval stores Great quantities of clothing, Arms & Ammunition, payment of bills sent from Mr Bingham, One hundred thou- sand livres, Congress bills in favour of Huyghood & Co. above two hundred thousand, advanced to Mr Hops about twenty thousand pounds Sterling; paid Congreg- Dept in favour of returned Officers, ninety three thousand & eighty several livres, to our prisoners in England, & after their escape to help them horses, & to other Amer- icans here in distress, a great sum, I cannot at present say how much; Supplies to Mr Hodge for fitting out Capt Cunningham, very considerable, &c. &c.
Franklin
To president of Congress. (Vol 4. Page 366.)
On my arrival at Ferrol, I was offered the loan of

We the subscribers, inhabitants of Middletown in Middlesex county, and State of Connecticut, being of lawful age and duly cautioned and sworn, do depose and say, that we have for many years been personally acquainted with Doct. Ebenezer Gilbert, of said Middletown, who makes the foregoing Application for a pension, and that he is of respectable standing and sustains a good character and that his statement is entitled to credit.
Stephen Ramey
J Stow Theadus Nichols
State of Connecticut
Middlesex County ss. Middletown Probate L
on this tenth day of Decr. A.D. 1832 personally appeared, Stephen Ramey, J. Stow and Theadus Nichols, signers and of the foregoing certificate and made oath to the truth of the same before me; and I do certify that said deponents are respectable men of the first standing whose statement is entitled to credit.
Stillman Wrightman
Judge of Probate for the district of Middletown.

And the said Court does hereby declare its opinion after the investigation of the matter and the putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department, that the above named Applicant was a Physician and Surgeon, in the Continental naval service and served as Assistant And the Court further certifies that it appears to them, that Stephen Ramey, J Stone, and Maurus Nichols, who have signed the certificate of the credibility of the said George Gilbert, are residents in said Middletown and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Stillman K Wright
Judge of Probate for the
County of Middletown
The Fifth block of the Court of Probate
By e
and
attest
file
the the for a petition. In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 10th day of December. A.D. 1832.
My Will OR